Phillips, the London-based auction house, has created a watch department to focus on fine collectors watches.

The department will be based in Geneva and will be in partnership with Bacs & Russo, the watch consultancy founded by Aurel Bacs, the former international head of watches for Christie’s, and Livia Russo, his partner, also formerly of Christie’s. 

Phillips will launch its watch department with two auctions in Geneva in May, with plans to add sales in London, New York, and Hong Kong.

“We are immensely excited to be asked to partner with Phillips as their consultants and to work with a department built from scratch,” said Bacs. “It is a privilege and a dream come true to realize a concept that Livia and I believe should be the answer to today’s ever-increasing market, composed of savvy and passionate collectors. It is a pleasure to be united with many distinguished specialists from the industry that Phillips has brought together for this new department.”

“I am delighted to be working once again with Aurel Bacs, who has established himself as the market leading expert in this field over the last decade,” said Phillips CEO Edward Dolman. 

The rest of the team has also been announced. Paul Boutros, founder of the Watch Enthusiasts of New York and a timepiece strategy consultant to luxury brands, will be the international strategy advisor; Nathalie Monbaron, formerly of the Christie’s watch department, will be the business development director; and Virginie Liatard-Roessli, also formerly of Christie’s, will be the department manager. 

JCK